Asia

Stock Markets close strong in Asia Pacafic

Tokyo - Asia-Pacific stocks soared Monday after South Korea announced a more than 130-billion-dollar package to stabilize the country's financial sector.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average was up 3.59 per cent at 9,005.59 while its broader Topix index of all first-section issues gained 3.7 per cent to close at 927.37.

The market for Asia's largest economy was also buoyed by speculation that corporate earnings reports would beat analysts' expectations.

The biggest percentage increase of the day was seen in Hong Kong, where the benchmark Hang Seng Index closed up 5.28 per cent, buoyed by a general rebound in stocks across Asia.

Asian markets up and down, unsure if rebound will last

Tokyo - Stock markets across Asia see-sawed Friday between small gains and losses, as investors reacted to mixed signals from Asia's economies, with most markets ending the week down, not able to recover from the earlier plunge.

   Countering the trend, Tokyo stocks climbed Friday after an overnight surge on Wall Street to end trading up almost 3 per cent as investors bought back shares battered by the previous day's losses.

   The Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 235.37 points, or 2.78 per cent, to close at 8,693.82. Tokyo's broader Topix index of all first-section issues also gained 29.77 points, or 3.44 per cent, to 894.29.

   The recovery came after Japan's benchmark index plunged 11.41 per cent Thursday.

Malaysian police detonate bomb found on university campus

MalaysiaKuala Lumpur - A Malaysian police bomb squad safely detonated a live 430-kilogram bomb that was found on a university campus in the northern state of Perlis, news reports said Friday.

A heavy machinery operator discovered the bomb, believed to have been dropped during World War II, on Thursday, prompting police to block roads leading to the area, the Bernama news agency reported.

Asian markets unsure if rebound is to last

Tokyo - Key stock markets across Asia edged upwards on Friday, recovering slightly from record drops earlier this week, as investors cautiously ventured back into the market after a surge on Wall Street.

Indexes around the region see-sawed between small gains and losses, as investors reacted to mixed signals from Asia's economies.

Tokyo stocks climbed in early trading Friday after Wall Street's overnight surge.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 129.66 points, or 1.53 per cent, trading at 8,588.11. The broader Topix index gained 2.6 per cent to 887.43.

The recovery came after Japan's benchmark index plunged 11.41 per cent Thursday.

UN chief to visit the Philippines, Nepal, India and Bangladesh

UN chief to visit the Philippines, Nepal, India and Bangladesh New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to attend an international conference on migration and development in late October in the Philippines, the first of four Asian countries he plans to visit, the UN said Thursday.

The Second Global Forum on Migration and Development will take place in Manila on October 29. Ban will meet with President Gloria Arroyo and receive the nation's Order of Sikatuna in recognition of his diplomatic efforts.

Uttar Pradesh’s premier Agro Institute facing neglect

Uttar PradeshKushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), Oct. 16 : The Genda Singh sugarcane breeding and research institute in Sewari in Uttar Pradesh, which was Asia’s second prominent centre for research purposes, has per researchers working there, been a victim of neglect.

It was known for making significant contribution for development and release of new sugarcane varieties, suitable for the agro-climatic zone of the eastern Uttar Pradesh and and Bihar in the early nineties.

Spread over 286.44 acre area, this research centre has developed species like COS—8432,8436, COSE—92422 and 98237.

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